Everything and Nothing Plus Some Pretty Photos

Kylemore Abbey – Connemara Mountains Ireland

Welcome to Kylemore Abbey. The nuns here know how to pick a location! If money were no option for me I would have picked the exact same location nestled in to the west of Ireland at the base of a magnificent mountain range on the edge of a peaceful lake. The windy road that leads to the abbey is one of those roads that looks like it should take you about 20-30 minutes to get there on a map and it realistically takes you 3-4 hours of winding and turning and slowing for sheep. But the drive is worth it.

The abbey, which the Benedictine nuns purchased after fleeing Belgium in WWI, is partially open for tours. The castle-turned-abbey was originally built in 1867 by a wealthy doctor with seventy rooms and 40,000 square feet. It can be followed by a nice nature walk along the lake, a visit to the Gothic Cathedral (which had live gospel singing while we happen to be there), the original family mausoleum, a lovely waterfall, and a modern art installation. A short bus ride will take you to the victorian walled gardens and should not be missed! When you are good and tired visit the store for something to eat and to purchase some Kylemore Abbey Benedictine Nun made ceramics or other local art in support of the abbey.

I would recomend staying in or near Kinsale when you are in the South. It is much more charming than Cork but very close. There are some lovely, albeit windy and slow, roads both east and west along the coast that are a must see. The road in the direction of Clonikilty will put you near Drombeg Stone Circle which has a lovely view. You must go here. https://bulldogtravels.com/2014/10/31/drombeg-stone-circle-kinsale-ireland/

Having said that I could probably spend a week just in and around Kinsale it is so lovely.

I would say both areas are equally beautiful. It’s hard to say which one to visit. When you decide let me know and I can give you some more tips. In the meantime I have more posts coming about the west and south as soon as my fingers can make it happen. I try to post twice a week when the stars align… 😉

It’s a long time ago, we did so little research and seemed to just stumble upon the place – great thing to stumble on!!! But I do remember little country lanes and hardly any traffic. We have to go back now!!!

Oh my, that Abbey is gorgeous! Just like a scene out of a fairytale. Not to mention those gardens! I’m a sucker for spending an afternoon wandering through beautiful gardens, I’m sure I would love this one 🙂

]Nice post. We’re hopefully going to be heading to Ireland next month for the first time, and your photos are definitely making me look forward to it! How long did you spend up that way (and was it long enough?)

I love your stories; so easy to read and so interesting. OMG your photos are fabulous and I want to go to visit the Abbey now. It is absolutely beautiful and those gardens…Love the thought of there being live gospel.

I would certainly think so because it is very remote. The architect outdid himself on this one. It is so romantic and lovely and the setting only makes it more lovely. Thanks for the comment. So happy to have you for a visit.